Harvesting Solutions: What to Do with Your Garden Bounty This Fall

As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, many gardeners find themselves staring at overflowing harvests from their home gardens. Whether you’re dealing with kale that seems to multiply overnight or a bumper crop of apples from your tree, managing your autumn haul can become overwhelming. However, there are plenty of ways to ensure that your hard work doesn’t go to waste this season.

Engaging with your autumn harvest can be rewarding.

Share Your Abundance

Did you know that Edmonton is home to over 52,000 edible fruit trees? While this is an astounding number, it often leads to surplus fruit that can go unutilized. Extra harvests of apples and pears, especially dwarf varieties, can yield more than 150 pounds of fruit, leaving many gardeners pondering what to do with the extra bounty.

One great option is to donate your surplus to Edmonton’s Food Bank (EFB). They welcome a range of fresh produce, particularly root vegetables, cabbages, beans, and other easily handled crops. Doug Thompson from EFB shares:

“This time of year we get a lot of potatoes… garden-fresh produce simply tastes better.”

Donations like potatoes, which yield around three to five pounds per plant, are especially appreciated.

Contributing to local food banks makes a significant difference.

Unfortunately, not all fruits are accepted—crabapples, for instance, are too small and sour to be deemed Food Bank-worthy. However, for those willing to harvest and donate smaller produce, the Leftovers Foundation lends a helping hand by collecting surplus from home gardens. With rising food prices making access to fresh produce challenging, outreach coordinator Mary Gholami emphasizes the importance of community contributions:

“It’s such a big part of a healthy diet.”

Alternative Options for Extra Produce

If you’re stuck with less desirable produce, perhaps damaged by pests, don’t fret. The Farm Animal Rescue and Rehoming Movement (FARMM) welcomes all kinds of usable produce. Owner Melissa Marttell highlights how beneficial these donations are for their animals, stating,

“We like to have a place for people to bring their things so they’re not wasting…”

This is a fantastic option for fruits that may have some pest damage, as long as they aren’t spoiled. From apples and leafy greens to even those pesky crabapples, spare your produce from the landfill by donating.

Farm animal shelters appreciate having access to excess produce.

Preserving for Winter

What if you have enough manageable produce to keep? Many hardy vegetables can be stored in a root cellar, with roots like carrots and potatoes lasting well into the winter months. Don’t have a root cellar? No problem! Freezing is a viable alternative. Quickly blanching vegetables kills bacteria, while leafy greens can be safely stored for easy use later.

The humble ice cube tray is a gardener’s secret weapon for herb storage—create herb bombs that you can toss into soups and stews. Make sure to preserve a few jars of delicious jams, jellies, or pickles, as proper preservation can keep your harvest enjoyable year-round.

Learning to preserve your harvest can be a rewarding endeavor.

Learning the Canning Craft

To can or not to can? High-acid foods like fruits and tomatoes require a boiling water canner, while other foods need a pressure canner. If you’re new to canning, classes are available through resources like the Edmonton Public Library and Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton, which offers workshops on various preservation techniques.

Exploring Fermentation

Lastly, for those adventurous in the kitchen, consider fermentation. This method not only preserves your produce but also provides unique flavors for your dishes. The Kitchen at the Stanley A. Milner Library regularly hosts workshops to help you dive into the world of pickling and fermenting.

In conclusion, as you look at your fall harvest, remember that help is available, whether through local food banks, community organizations, or educational resources. Don’t let your bountiful garden contributions go to waste—share, preserve, and enjoy all that you’ve sown this season!

Enjoying your harvest reflects the beauty of community sharing.